The total area of planted cotton acres enrolled in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol increased 25% compared to 2022, reaching 1.6 million acres -- the greatest increase to date, according to a recent release.

This is the fourth successive year of program expansion. Trust Protocol cotton represents 16% of all U.S. planted cotton acres.

The program's growth, according to the release, is described as a key milestone.

“We continue to be inspired and encouraged to see that U.S. cotton growers have once again expanded the number of planted acres enrolled in the program, underscoring their unwavering commitment to ongoing improvement,” said Daren Abney, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol executive director. 

“With the growing number of enrolled acres, we’re making even more environmentally responsible cotton accessible to our brand and retailer members for sourcing. The Trust Protocol team is excited to support our members in their more responsible sourcing practices.”

U.S. cotton and protocol cotton can be tracked by brand and retailer members through the Protocol Consumption Management Solution (PCMS), where they can also claim Protocol Consumption Units (PCCUs). One PCCU is minted for each kilogram of protocol cotton in the system. To date, 970 million PCCUs are available in the PCMS, which is equivalent to 4.45 million bales. 

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The Trust Protocol’s vision is to set a new standard in sustainable cotton production with full supply chain transparency. Its core values include a commitment to U.S. cotton’s legacy of authenticity, innovation and excellence, environmental stewardship, caring of people, and personal and corporate integrity.

The program currently has more than 1,800 supplier members over 40 companies and brands, including global brands and retailers such as Ralph Lauren, Gap, Levi Strauss & Co. and J.Crew. 

Reminders

Trust Protocol producers are reminded of the following deadlines:

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, recognized by Textile Exchange and Forum for the Future, and part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cotton 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge, Cotton 2040 and Cotton Up initiatives. It has also been recognized and published in the ITC Standards Map, recognized as a standard for sustainable cotton by the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, and is an ISEAL Community Member.

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